Meet Emani Figaro | Creative Consultant & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emani Figaro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emani, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic and creative career because it’s what God called me to do—and for a long time, I didn’t even realize that’s what was happening. Creativity has always been the way I process the world, connect with people, and build a sense of purpose out of chaos. It started as a way to express myself—through writing, through storytelling, through creating—but over time, it became clear that this was more than a passion. It was a purpose.

From early on, I noticed that I moved differently. I saw patterns in things, possibilities in people, and beauty in places others overlooked. I also saw firsthand how so many of us—especially young Black and Brown creatives—had been taught to shrink our visions, to treat our creativity like a hobby rather than a career, to see our gifts as optional rather than divine. That never sat right with me.

I knew deep in my spirit that our creativity was sacred—that it came from a higher place. God gave me the ability to imagine, but He also gave me the capacity to build. That combination—vision and strategy, spirit and systems—is what led me to entrepreneurship. It’s what led me to create Mogul Mani Consulting, a space where creatives could come for clarity, structure, and empowerment. And later, it’s what birthed the Maison Mogul Consulting Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to vocational creativity, youth programming, community wellness, and building infrastructure for people who dream big but haven’t always had the blueprint.

My journey hasn’t been linear. I’ve worked in corporate spaces, nonprofit strategy, economic development, and education. I’ve consulted with national organizations, led activations for major brands, and sat at tables where I was the only one advocating for the creative lens. But through every season—whether I was overbooked or overlooked—God never let me forget my assignment: to pour into others, to make space, and to remind people that their creativity isn’t random—it’s on purpose.

At Mogul Mani, I get to coach founders, lead workshops, and help clients align their vision with viable, income-generating models. It’s where my strategic mind gets to meet my creative heart. But Maison Mogul is my deeper “why.” Through the foundation, we run youth camps, curate community healing experiences, and partner with schools, brands, and institutions to bring creative education to life. We don’t just teach art—we teach financial literacy, holistic wellness, entrepreneurship, and ownership. And we do it all from a place of radical care and belief in what’s possible.

Everything I’ve built has been rooted in faith. I don’t move without prayer. I don’t build without intention. I believe deeply that God gives us vision before He gives us the full picture—and the walk requires obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense yet. There were times I didn’t know how things would come together, but God sent the right people, opened the right doors, and reminded me that this wasn’t about me—it was about the mission.

When I think about success, I don’t just measure it in metrics—I measure it in impact. Did someone feel seen because of something I said or created? Did a young person walk away feeling like they matter? Did someone finally launch that business or tell their story because they were in our space? That’s the win for me. That’s what keeps me going.

So yes, I chose this creative path—but really, it chose me. I chose God’s path for me. And every day, I try to honor that calling by showing up fully, pouring into others, and building structures that outlast me. Because our creativity isn’t just beautiful—it’s powerful. It’s prophetic. And when nurtured with faith, it can shift generations.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m the founder of Mogul Mani Consulting and the Maison Mogul Consulting Foundation (MMCF)—two organizations that are deeply connected but serve different sides of the same mission: to empower creatives, entrepreneurs, and communities with the tools, strategy, and healing they need to thrive.

Mogul Mani started in 2021 as a consulting firm built for creative visionaries. I saw too many talented people with brilliant ideas struggling to build sustainable systems around their work. Whether it was a lack of strategic clarity, brand infrastructure, or simply support navigating the business side of creativity, I knew I could help fill that gap. What sets us apart is that we don’t just offer traditional consulting—we offer what I like to call “creative clarity with structure.” We meet people where they are, align their vision with strategy, and help them build real, lasting momentum. It’s part business coaching, part spiritual alignment, and all rooted in cultural relevance and care.

The Maison Mogul Consulting Foundation was born out of the same energy but geared toward community. It’s the nonprofit arm of my work, and it focuses on creative vocational training, economic access, healing-centered programming, and youth development. I wanted to build a space that not only helps creatives dream—but helps them build with confidence. From youth summer camps and entrepreneur pitch programs to art shows, field trips, and virtual events, we create immersive experiences that equip people with practical tools and powerful networks.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I started Mogul Mani with no fancy funding, no investors, and no safety net—just faith, experience, and a fierce belief that God didn’t give me this vision for nothing. There were times I was working full-time jobs while building the business after hours. Times I questioned if I was doing the right thing, or if the people I was trying to serve would understand the value of what I was offering. But each challenge taught me something new about perseverance, patience, and purpose. God continued to provide—through partnerships, community, and people who believed in the vision even when it was still being formed.

I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’ve learned that clarity beats perfection every time. That you don’t have to have it all figured out to start. That rest is resistance, and slowing down doesn’t mean you’re losing. I’ve also learned that your business is only as strong as your boundaries, your faith, and your team.

What I want the world to know about me and my brands is this: we’re building something that’s not just for profit—it’s for purpose. Whether we’re helping someone launch a brand, curate a healing event, teach youth how to pitch a business, or partner with a global company for a creative activation, we’re doing it with intention, integrity, and love.

I want people to know that you don’t have to choose between creativity and structure, between faith and entrepreneurship, or between healing and hustle. With the right foundation, you can have it all—and you can build it in a way that doesn’t require you to sacrifice your spirit to succeed.

Mogul Mani and MMCF are living proof of that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
DAY 1: Welcome to ATL – Vibes + Views
Check-in at the Wylie Hotel or Clermont Hotel for a stylish, boutique ATL experience.
Grab lunch at Waffle House—because no visit is complete without it. We’d get the All Star and chicken sausage.
Spend the evening walking the Atlanta BeltLine, grabbing BAKU Bowl at Everythang Nola and seeing neighborhood murals that tell our stories.
Dinner and cocktails at Cafe Intermezzo—European0-inspired vibes, dope music, and good energy to set the tone for the week.

DAY 2: Creative Immersion + Black-Owned Gems
Brunch at Le Petit Marche in Kirkwood.
Visit Trap Music Museum or Auburn Avenue Research Library—because we honor both the art and the history.
Afternoon shopping at Krog Market or go to local art galleries like The Narrative Showroom.
Evening drinks and live music at Parlor or a poetry night at 333 Peter Street.

DAY 3: Healing + Nature + Good Soul Food
Morning yoga or meditation at Piedmont Park
Hike Stone Mountain or walk around Piedmont Park to reconnect with nature and God.
Lunch at Le Colonial, then chill time with a creative journaling or sketching session.
Sunset dinner at Atlanta Fish Market n Buckhead—vibe-y and gorgeous interiors.

DAY 4: Arts & Culture Deep Dive
Start the day with a visit to The High Museum or Museums in the West End.
Stop by SubSumé Space—for some immersive tech-meets-Black-culture magic.
Catch a local theater show at Alliance Theatre or check out an open mic night at Apache XLR.
Grab late-night bites at BQE Restaurant & Lounge—Black-owned and always a vibe.

DAY 5: Community & Commerce
Brunch at Toast on Lenox with some ATL creatives.
Tour and co-work from The Gathering Spot or Koncept House—I’d bring them into my world, introduce them to some of my favorite entrepreneurs and visionaries.
Drop into a Maison Mogul Consulting Foundation event or workshop if we’re hosting one—give them a taste of the work we’re building to uplift community.
Chill dinner at Eats or Busy Bee Café—can’t leave ATL without soul food!

DAY 6: Day Trip + Skatepark Energy
Day trip to Jaide, A Ma Maniere for peace, fresh air, and Black Girl luxury.
Stop by Village Skatepark ATL for creativity, youth vibes, and a little behind-the-scenes tour of our MMCF partnership.
Return to ATL for dinner at Nobu or cocktails at Jojo’s.

DAY 7: Sunday Reset + Celebration
Morning service or livestream of Change Church—because we’re starting with God.
Brunch at Breakfast at Barney’s—ATL brunch royalty.
Spend the rest of the day unwinding: mani/pedi at Buckhead Nail Salon, or journaling at Toast.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s absolutely no way I’d be where I am today without the support, prayers, belief, and love of so many people—and most importantly, without God. Every step of this journey has been covered by divine favor, and I’m constantly reminded that God is not just my provider, but my number one supporter, strategist, and consultant. His vision over my life has carried me through every chapter—especially the ones that didn’t make sense at the time.

I want to start by giving extreme thanks to my mom, who has truly been my rock. Her strength, wisdom, and unwavering support have grounded me through every high and low. She’s been my first teacher, my most honest mirror, and the one who’s prayed over every project, idea, and late night. To my dad and my family, thank you for shaping my values and giving me the kind of foundation that reminds me who I am and whose I am.

To my friends who trusted me in 2021 when Mogul Mani was just an idea—thank you. You let me test strategies, build decks, and consult your businesses when I didn’t yet have a title or a track record. That belief gave me the confidence to move forward and the experience to sharpen my gifts.

To my cousin and best friend, Kayla Wilburn, who also serves as Vice President of the Maison Mogul Consulting Foundation—you are my business anchor, my sounding board, and my daily reminder that loyalty, leadership, and sisterhood can coexist. This work is better because I get to do it with you.

To my partner, Tuan Jones, thank you for seeing me fully—for who I am in both my softness and my power. Your encouragement, creativity, and grounded spirit remind me to stand tall in my light and never shrink. I’m grateful for your love and your presence in every room I walk into.

To our E-board, made up of people who have impacted my life in deep, personal, and professional ways—Scott Steward, Anterio Jackson, Terrell Stanley, Darius Caffey, Guyesha Blackshear, and Ashlee Reevely—thank you. Your guidance, support, and wisdom continue to shape the foundation of MMCF, and I’m honored to build alongside you.

To my former colleagues at The Nascent Group and Deloitte, thank you for believing in God’s vision over my life. Your early belief helped solidify the idea that faith and strategy can coexist, and your mentorship was key in helping me learn how to lead with both heart and excellence.

To all of my former professors, thank you for opening doors, offering encouragement, and reminding me that my voice and vision mattered. When I said I wanted to come back and teach at Spelman College, you believed me—and I did. Through Scholars & Dollars and the CBE New Venture Competition, I was able to pour back into the very soil that poured into me.

To my Maison Mogul Consulting Foundation team—Kayla Wilburn, Kristina White, Hasani White, Latisha Jones, Ryan Hemp, Amira Sos, and Janiyah Grier—thank you for carrying this vision with me. Your hard work, creativity, and commitment to community are what keep us going. You each bring something irreplaceable to the table, and I’m honored to lead alongside you.

And finally, to the books and thinkers who shaped my lens—The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, All About Love by bell hooks, The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, and the words of Audre Lorde—thank you for helping me name things I once only felt. Your work lives in mine.

This shoutout is for every person who prayed for me, opened a door for me, told me to keep going, or reminded me of my purpose when I forgot. I carry your names in my heart and your lessons in my leadership. This journey is not mine alone—and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Website: https://maisonmogulstudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/maisonmogulconsulting/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emani-figaro-750353143

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaisonMogulConsultingFoundatio

Image Credits
@kayodidthat
@tuanjones
@ninett5_directed
@itsomariwhite